2022 Subaru Outback vs 2023 Ford Escape

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness presented a rugged and elevated design, distinguishing itself from the standard Outback with a higher ground clearance of 9.5 inches and aggressive all-terrain tires. Its exterior featured a unique grille, black 17-inch wheels, and a matte black hood decal, complemented by a new roof rack system capable of supporting a 700-pound static load. Inside, the cabin was dominated by dark gray and black tones, with StarTex water-repellant upholstery and Anodized Copper accents, creating a purposeful and adventurous aesthetic.

In contrast, the 2023 Ford Escape adopted a more European design language, moving away from its earlier blocky style. The refreshed model featured a traditional front end with a stylish LED light bar and the Ford logo prominently displayed. The ST-Line Elite trim showcased 19-inch wheels and body-color mirror caps, offering a sleek and upscale appearance. Inside, the Escape boasted diamond-stitched leather upholstery, though it felt somewhat hard and plasticky. The interior was comfortable, with a 10-way power adjustable driver’s seat and a well-organized layout, though it was marred by an abundance of plastic materials.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness was powered by a turbocharged 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine, producing 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque. This engine, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), provided ample power for its 3,896-pound weight and a towing capacity of 3,500 lbs. However, the CVT's droning and soft gear changes detracted from the driving experience. The Wilderness trim excelled off-road, with 9.5 inches of ground clearance, all-terrain tires, and a dual function X-Mode traction system, making it the most capable Outback for challenging terrains.

The 2023 Ford Escape offered two engine options: a 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder with 180 horsepower and a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 250 horsepower. The latter, available on higher trims, provided better acceleration and was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Despite its power, the Escape was not a performance crossover, with a soft suspension and no paddle shifters for manual control. The brakes were predictable, and the steering was well-weighted, making it comfortable for everyday driving.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured StarTex upholstery, which was water-repellant but could be uncomfortable in hot weather. The front seats offered power adjustments, and the rear seat provided ample space for passengers, though it shared the same upholstery issues. The cargo area measured 32.5 cubic feet, expanding to 75.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, and included waterproof materials and LED lighting. The robust roof rack supported rooftop camping, enhancing its utility for outdoor adventures.

The 2023 Ford Escape provided comfortable seating with excellent ergonomics, though it fell short in cargo space compared to competitors. It offered 37.5 cubic feet of storage behind the second row and 65.4 cubic feet with the seats folded. Passenger space was adequate, with good headroom and padded front-seat backs to maximize rear legroom. The interior layout was practical, with well-positioned armrests and cupholders, though it lacked the spaciousness of some rivals.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness came with an 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which required learning specific prompts for effective use. While it included physical controls for basic functions, the voice recognition was less intuitive than Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. The lack of a premium sound system was a notable omission, but the PIN code entry system was a practical feature for active users.

The 2023 Ford Escape impressed with its Sync 4 technology, featuring an optional 13.2-inch touchscreen that enhanced the cabin's look. The system was well-organized, with easy navigation between applications and a static "Home" button for convenience. Although the system was occasionally slow to respond, its overall feature set and layout were commendable, providing a modern and user-friendly experience.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness was equipped with EyeSight advanced driving assistance systems, offering adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assistance. It also included steering-responsive headlights and a blind-spot warning system. While crash-test results for the Wilderness were unavailable, the standard Outback received high safety ratings from both the IIHS and NHTSA.

The 2023 Ford Escape received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though it did not earn a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS due to a Marginal score in the side-impact test. Standard safety features included Ford's Co-Pilot360 suite, with options to upgrade to Co-Pilot360 2.0 for additional driver-assist technologies. The inclusion of blind-spot monitoring as standard was a notable advantage.